2003 Proton Waja Reviews - Page 3 of 4

2003 Proton Waja 1.8 from Malaysia

Summary:

Below average

Faults:

The immobilizer did not work properly. Each time the car was left in the sun it would not start until the interior cooled down. This could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It took Proton over 1 year to discover and fix the problem. It involved dealing with 3 major service stations and the head technical team at proton.

The engine had to be overhauled at 14 months. This was due to a manufacturing default. So did the air-con have to be replaced, the fan belt and radiator.

The CD player does not function properly. The buttons do random things like change stations, band etc.

The air vents have broken although no one has ever touched them. On closer inspection they are so flimsy and of such a poor quality.

General Comments:

The car is not all that bad. The quality control is about 20 years behind industry standards.

The after sales service is non existent. When they repair your car for more than a week then only can you fight for a courtesy car, after you've spoken to their Head Quarters and branch managers. Then they give you a car which is in such terrible condition whereby the seat belts don't work or the car is so dangerous that you'd rather not drive it.

2003 Proton Waja 1.8 from Malaysia

Summary:

Need major improvement on building

Faults:

I have brought my Waja 1.8 when it just came out of the market for few weeks. When the car was just one day old, I noticed that there was some strange sound came out from the engine compartment, especially when braking. Later I realised that it was due a loose screw and fixed later after I had send to two different Proton Edar Services.

When the car was about half a year old, the fan blade struck radiator and air-conditioning system. I was forced without my car for a week because Proton Edar Service could not get the spare parts.

And the car reaches 40,000km, without any reason, the car jerk suddenly with a huge noise even when I was driving gently (80km/h) on a smooth highway. The car was send back to workshop for twice and I was without my car for nearly two weeks.

Recently when I just finish servicing my car at Proton Edar Service at 50,000km, the engine warning light blink continuously. So I had send it back to the Proton Edar Service (Puchong) for five weeks!! And fews days after it came out from the workshop, the engine warning light start blinking again!! So what can I do? Send it back to the workshop for months?

Actually I'm proud that we have our national car. But it seems that because of the protection from the government, Proton never push themselves harder for improvement. They still use low quality material to build car. The Quality Control virtually not existing.

General Comments:

The car need serious testing and quality control before came out to the market.

30th May 2005, 22:23

I guess the problem of jerking is due to the over sensitive of the electronic system. I did send my car to Proton Edar Services at Puchong for once. It took me a week to repair, but last around 15000km, the same old problem came back. But if you are still under warranty and got spare car to use, get it fix.